Nedbank Cup champions Kaizer Chiefs wrapped up their pre-season tour of the Netherlands with a 2-1 defeat against Eredivisie side FC Twente on Wednesday night.
This result marked a challenging end to their European preparations, with the Soweto club registering their fourth loss in five pre-season matches.
The match, held at Twente’s home ground, saw Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel net a late equalizer, only for Daan Rots and Sayfallah Ltaief to secure the victory for the Dutch hosts.
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This final fixture capped a demanding tour that provided new coach Nasreddine Nabi with a clear understanding of the work ahead as the new season approaches.
A Mixed Bag of Pre-Season Results
Chiefs’ Netherlands campaign started with a series of defeats, including a 2-1 loss to Vitesse, a significant 4-0 drubbing by Utrecht, and a narrow 1-0 defeat to NEC Nijmegen.
Their sole moment of triumph came just a day prior to the Twente match, a hard-fought 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle, thanks to a decisive goal from promising youngster Naledi Hlongwane.
This single win offered a glimmer of hope, and as a result, Hlongwane earned a starting berth against FC Twente, a testament to his impactful performance.
Fellow young talent Mfundo Vilakazi also featured prominently on the left flank, showcasing the club’s commitment to integrating youth into the senior squad.
Match Dynamics: Chiefs Find Their Footing Amidst Early Pressure
The Amakhosi took some time to settle into the rhythm of the game, initially allowing FC Twente to dictate play.
The home side nearly capitalized early when veteran striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel was denied from close range by Chiefs’ goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
For the South Africans, Vilakazi displayed flashes of brilliance. While his curling shot lacked the precision to find the back of the net, it signaled Chiefs’ growing attacking intent.
That being said, Twente eventually made their superiority count. Two minutes before halftime, Taylor Booth skillfully navigated past Dillan Solomons after a free-kick, delivering a pinpoint cross that Daan Rots headed home from close range, giving the Dutch side a deserved lead.
A Late Comeback and Costly Miss
The second half saw Chiefs fight their way back into the contest. They were awarded a penalty when Pule Mmodi was fouled inside the box. Captain Inacio Miguel stepped up to take the spot-kick.
Although his initial shot was saved by the Twente goalkeeper, the rebound fell kindly back to him, allowing him to calmly slot home the equalizer in the 69th minute.
Momentum seemed to shift in Chiefs’ favor, and they had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Wandile Duba skillfully teased his marker, creating space for Glody Lilepo, who received the ball on the side but unfortunately dragged his shot wide.
This missed opportunity proved to be a turning point. Chiefs were punished just five minutes before full-time. In a cruel twist of fate, the decisive goal came from the hosts.
A dangerous cross into the box was not cleared effectively by the Chiefs defense, allowing Swiss international Sayfallah Ltaief to clinically side-foot the ball past Bruce Bvuma, securing the 2-1 victory for FC Twente.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Full Pre-Season Results in the Netherlands:
Chiefs 1-2 Vitesse
Chiefs 0-4 Utrecht
Chiefs 0-1 Nijmegen
Chiefs 1-0 Zwolle
Chiefs 1-2 FC Twente
The pre-season tour has provided Kaizer Chiefs with valuable match practice and highlighted areas for improvement as they prepare for the demanding domestic season ahead.
The coaching staff will now focus on addressing the defensive frailties and capitalizing on attacking opportunities as they return to South Africa.